Linux Basic Commands: ls | OpenPath Education

Linux provides a set of powerful and commonly used commands to interact with the system efficiently. The `cd` command is used to change directories, while `ls` lists the contents of a directory. To clear the terminal screen, the `clear` command is used. The `mkdir` command helps create new folders, and `pwd` shows the current working directory. The `rm` command is used to remove files or directories, and `touch` is used to create empty files. To edit or view text files directly in the terminal, `vi` is a powerful editor. The `/` symbol represents the root directory, which is the top level of the Linux filesystem. To manage users, `adduser` is used to create a new user, and `userdel` is used to delete an existing one. The `history` command displays a list of previously executed commands, allowing users to track or reuse them easily. These commands form the foundation for working effectively in a Linux environment.

1. ls

ls

The ls command in Linux is used to list the contents of a directory (files and folders). It helps you see what's inside a folder.

Basic Syntax:

ls [options] [directory]

Common Examples:

List files in current directory

ls

👉 Shows names of files and folders in the current location.

List with details (-l for long format)

ls -l

👉 Shows detailed information like permissions, owner, size, and modified date.

Example output:

-rw-r--r-- 1 user user  2048 Jul 01 12:30 file.txt
drwxr-xr-x 2 user user  4096 Jul 01 12:15 folder

Include hidden files (-a for all)

ls -a

👉 Shows all files, including hidden files (those starting with . like .bashrc).

Combine options (-la)

ls -la

👉 Shows all files including hidden ones, in detailed format.

List files in a specific directory

ls /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts

👉 Lists contents inside the /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts folder.

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